One Buck Tag System in Michigan: Where to go from here

                      Over the past couple years we have witnessed hunters taking a stand for a better deer management practice. With some proposals being passed, we still have yet to come up with a sound management plan for Michigan’s deer herd. Antler Point Restrictions (APR’s) have been proposed and passed in areas like the Upper Peninsula, DMU 487 and the Northwest 12. Although some hunters will rave about the success of this management practice, very little progress has been made with these initiatives. As another season comes to an end, a new ripple has been cast among the deer hunting community, one that most Michigan hunters have seen to be inevitable and necessary. That is a one buck tag system.
          Whether hunters want to admit it or not, it has become crucial to our hunting future that something drastic take place. Michigan boasts a rich environment that deer have once and still can thrive in. One of the leading factors in hunter dissatisfaction is that there are not enough bucks. If you have hunted in Michigan enough, you will understand how this is true, especially when hunting in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower. In some areas of Michigan, APR’s have been put into place to help deer live to a mature age. Unfortunately, we have not seen the results that we once thought would come from such implementations. Some hunters have shifted ideologies to a one buck tag system. This management system very well could be the saving grace to our deer herd, but could also result in a major blow to our hunting traditions.
          Giving that only a miniscule amount of hunters actually fill both buck tags in a season, it doesn’t seem to make sense to go to the one buck tag system, right? Well here’s what I have to say about that. If a hunter only has one buck tag for the entire deer hunting season (Archery, Rifle and Muzzleloader), it would promote selective harvesting. Whether you believe this to be true or not, it would at least deplete the pressure put on deer though the season as hunters will not be in the woods trying to fill a second tag after already harvesting one buck.
          There are many counter arguments to this proposal, some of which I agree with. One being that hunters will have to give up either archery or firearm hunting, given they are lucky enough to harvest a buck in archery season or if they would rather participate in the rifle season. If you haven’t already seen the possible problem with this, here it is. Michigan brings in as much as $2.3 billion annually through deer hunting’s economic impact. Restricting a hunter to just one buck tag could negatively impact that number as hunters may be less likely to travel and spend money to hunt.
           Although some could argue otherwise, Michigan is not considered a trophy Whitetail hunting state. Some parts of Michigan are more likely to produce bigger bucks than others. Southern Michigan, with an abundance of food from the agriculture and the limited access to public hunting grounds, does tend to produce not only larger deer, but more of them. Even so, the standard at which Michigan manages our deer herd is depleting the resources (deer), so much, that to harvest a deer on a consistent basis happens only to more knowledgeable hunters or to those with access to prime hunting land.
         

I will be the first one to admit that I love the challenge of hunting public land in Northern Michigan. I know that my odds are from the likes of hunters in Southern Michigan. But I enjoy the challenge. I have no issue with working just a little harder than other hunters who are fortunate enough to hunt land that harbors more deer. But a large amount of Michigan hunters are restricted to hunting public land and may not have the time or financial means to prepare as much as myself.
          We have to consider what the future holds for Michigan deer hunting if we keep at this pace. Will there be any deer left in twenty years? How soon until we have to put in a draw to acquire a deer permit? These are serious questions that we have to ask ourselves as hunters. Can we sacrifice going to a one buck tag system in order to save the future of our hunting heritage and traditions? Or should we engage with fellow hunters to encourage better management practices on our own terms? I’m not talking about the keyboard warriors that flock the internet to bash on a 14 year old and his fork horn four point. I want to see hunters stand up for their beliefs and not condemn, but educate other hunters.          
As hunters we are the finest conservation tool outside of Mother Nature herself. If we have any chance to continue our tradition and hunting heritage, we have to educate one another. Whether it’s a one buck tag or two buck tags, both of which require an APR or nothing at all, we as hunters need to be more accountable. Conservation has always and will always be on us.

Remember December: 3 Tips for Punching tags Late

As the rut seems to fade with the daylight, December arrives and throws a chill towards hunter still looking to fill tags. Although it’s not the ideal time to hunt, December can and does make for some interesting hunting.

1.       Hunt where the Food is

Whether you are hunting over bait, food plots or natural food like acorns, you are already giving yourself a good chance at seeing deer. Because of the cold weather December throws at hunters, deer will flock to food in preparation of winter. Bucks especially need food to recover from the rigorous beating they put on themselves during the Rut.

Typically my hunts are restricted to the first and last three hours of daylight. Any deer traveling to food sources will do so close to dark due to the amount of pressure that has overwhelmed the woods for the past two months or more.

2.      

Secondary Rut

        If you count 28 days from the peak rut in November, you can put yourself in the secondary Rut which usually lands around December 5^th through the 12^th. Any does that were not bread during November will come back into heat for a second or third time. Some fawns in the area, those that were not mature enough to breed during November, will come into their first estrus during the secondary Rut.

Although the secondary Rut is not as action packed, it will happen and you can capitalize on some Rut hunting tactics during this time. You may even witness some bucks freshening and tending scrapes during this time.

3.       Be Vocal often

        As the secondary Rut approaches, I like to call periodically with an Estrus Bleat or a social Doe Grunt. Understand that bucks are going to be very worn out and they will not be running ramped trying to locate Does. If they happen to come across a Doe however, they rarely will pass up the opportunity to breed one of the last Does available.

Halloween Bucks and How to Kill them

        If you are a believer in the moon phase and how it affects deer movement, like me, you should be chomping at the bit. Considering what we already know about the early part of the rut and combining it with the basic theory of full moon deer movement, we could be in store for a wild and wicked Halloween weekend.

Author with a Buck harvested at 11am a couple days
after Halloween. Stand was located in a transition area
used by does. The Buck was rattled in to 20 yards.

        I find that mid-day hunting during a full moon phase can be a great time to capitalize before the intense chasing starts. Typically the full moon, which falls on October 27th this year (2015), will cause bucks to move heavily at night. Although this tends to damper the intense evening and morning hunts, it offers phenomenal mid-day hunting. A buck will rarely lie down all day during the rut. He’s got breeding on the mind and he is going to move at one time or another, even if just a short distance.

       During the early part of the rut bucks are notorious for roaming the woods and looking for does. They often make scrapes and do most of their rubbing during this time. Although setting over a scrape is not my go to plan for this time of the year, it can be effective.
This Halloween I will be setting all day in a transition area used by does. This area will include heavy cover on the edge of a food source. In my case, hunting public land in northern Michigan, I will be no more than 300 yards from acorns. This area would also be a travel route used by does to get from feed to bed. Spots like this are often littered with scrapes and rubs due to bucks roaming the thick cover in hopes of cutting the track of a hot doe.
      With the wind in my face and travel routes used by does, in seeing distance, I can expect bucks to be cruising the area. This type of area is frequented by bucks that are keeping tabs on the does. The does will not be ready to breed for at least a week or two but this will not stop bucks from roaming the area, stopping only to make a scrape or rub a tree.  I already have one of these spots in mind and you had better find one as well.

     Bucks will also be very curious of other bucks in the area. It’s likely of them to be sizing up the competition in the area this time of year. It would be wise to pack some tarsal gland scent and a grunt call. A cruising buck will stop for little but a quick whiff of what he believes to be another buck in his territory could turn his wheels and have him marching towards your post.
     Grunt calls are great for getting the attention of a buck. Like I previously stated, bucks are curious of their potential competition. Being vocal could get bucks off their path and in front of your sights. This includes rattling. Although not as aggressive as a buck fending off competition while tending a hot doe, a semi intense sparring sequence could gain the attention of bucks nearby. It’s like when a fight would break out in school. If you could hear the yelling and chanting, it was almost impossible not to go over and investigate.
     With this information in mind, get looking at some topo and satellite photos. Find a spot where you suspect bucks will be trying to intercept does. Pinch points leading to a food source are great areas to start. If you’ve already came across some rub lines, it wouldn’t hurt to be within shooting distance of them as it’s a clear indication of a bucks travel route. The conditions will be ideal for an all-day sit. Although you may not actually see deer all day, you can be confidant that they could show up at any time. Best of luck and happy Halloween!

 

Early Rut: 4 Essential Tools to Bag The Buck

         About the last week of October, just as my brain starts focusing on the rut, I always make sure I have 4 tools packed in my bag. Without them I could cost myself a chance at a trophy buck. It’s enough just to be in the woods during the early rut. You have to be prepared to play the game. Using fool proof tactics to entice and attract bucks can increase your odds greatly at getting them into bow range. Here is my suggested gear list that will get bucks closing this distance during the early rut.

Rattling Antlers

      Rattling Bucks is not popular everywhere but it can be effective. Where I hunt mostly in Northern Michigan, rattling is thought to be a tactic that only works where a buck to doe ratio falls around 3 to 1 or better. This is not always true. Yes rattling is more effective with those conditions, but that’s not to say it won’t work in an area with poor management. How you rattle is most important.

      Because Northern Michigan is not known for huge bucks, you would never find me in the woods with a trophy set of antlers, banging them together. A smaller set of antlers are more realistic and far more convenient to pack with your gear.

      Rattling during the early rut is a challenge from one buck to another. Very rarely is it a fight to the death. Aggressive sparring is what some may call it and that’s what you should try to mimic. The epic clash of the titans sequence can be saved for the high fence bucks. You want to mimic what sounds like a couple young bucks sizing each other up. This will be more realistic and will catch the attention from more dominant bucks looking to prove their rank.

      Rattling can be effective from the last week of October to the third week of November. Not to say it won’t work outside of that time frame but I would even consider its most effective time to be right around Halloween.

Grunt Call

      Unlike a fighting sound that rattling mimics, the grunt call can be used in many ways. It’s very effective with different sounds throughout the season. But for the early rut we are going to cover just two ways to use the call.

       A social grunt can be used when hunting the exterior of a bucks bedding area. Three to four soft grunts could entice a bedded buck to come check who is in his area.  This also works when a buck is working a scrape or a rub from a distance. Getting that buck’s attention with a grunt call could strike his curiosity and bring him into bow range.

       Another call I like to use if a buck is within my sight but too far out of range is what I call a challenge grunt. Blowing into the call, as if saying “Tuck, Tuck, Tuck”, will mimic a buck that is vocally discontent with the other bucks presence. This is could make the buck feel challenged and bring him into range.

       There is one thing to remember when using calls, if you get the buck’s attention, stop calling. That buck knows where the sound came from. The last thing you want to do is give your exact position away.

Tarsal Gland Scent

       Tarsal Gland scent is a scent I feel most hunters use during the wrong time of the season. Rather than using it during the peak chasing or breeding phase, the early rut is when I consider the best time. During the early rut, bucks are more curious of each other rather of the does. This is especially true with your older bucks that know the does will not be ready to breed for at least a week or more.

        Using tarsal gland scent is a good way to attract a buck from a distance or to even cover your scent down wind. A buck curious of his competition will investigate what other bucks are roaming the area. By the time the peak breeding phase arrives, bucks will seemingly avoid other bucks in fear of getting into an unnecessary fight. Unless there is a hot doe in the area, bucks are liable to skirt around your area just out of sight.

        Unless you are lucky enough to have fresh tarsal glands straight from a buck, I suggest picking up a bottle of any leading brand. Use it as a drag going to your stand and once there, hang it about two feet off the ground from an overhanging branch. This has worked for me in the past and will for you as well if used the right way. Like any scent I suggest, use sparingly!

Buck Urine

      Buck urine can be used relatively the same way tarsal gland scent is used. It is a great scent to use if you are unsure of where the herd is in the breeding season. A buck smelling another bucks urine rather than tarsal gland will not feel quite as challenged by the smell. Buck urine is not specifically a scent used for breeding purposes. However, I suggest using a little buck urine in conjunction with the tarsal gland scent just to make the scene that much more realistic.

 

Putting them all together

      In the perfect situation during the early rut, I would position myself in a transition area used by does. I would try to be within 80 yards or so from a good rub line. With the wind in my face, I would walk to my stand with a scent drag moistened with tarsal gland scent. I would dab a couple drips of buck urine on the bottom of my boots. Once I get to my stand I would hang the drag rag in a tree and climb in into my stand. After things have quieted down I would begin a soft rattling sequence every 20 to 30 minutes, followed with some soft social grunts. If I encounter a buck but he fails to close the distance, I’ll use a couple challenge grunts to entice him to come investigate.

     I hope this gives you a good understanding of how to use these tools during the early part of the rut. If you are a non-believer in any these tools, I suggest trying them in the conditions I mentioned. I am a firm believer that if you have enough tools in you arsenal, one will work.

    

The Gut Shot Deer and How to Recover

There are many ways you can hit a deer but none is more dreadful than the gut shot. Not just because there is little to no blood for tracking, but it is almost always fatal. The gut shot will kill a deer given the correct amount of time. Also, a gut shot deer tends to leave a big mess. But a gut shot none the less is fatal and can be recovered if the right steps are taken.

After shooting a deer in the guts, or paunch as some refer to it, you will most always get a complete pass through as there is nothing in the mid-section to stop the arrow or bullet. If you are archery hunting, your arrow will often be covered with a green or brown body fluid and even half-digested stomach matter. There will usually be little to no blood on the arrow. This is a clear indication of a gut shot.

If you suspect a gut shot has been made on a deer, whether you or another hunter did so, back out. Get down from the stand very quietly and leave the area. A gut shot deer will most likely run 100 yards or so and stop. A deer experiences a great deal of pain when gut shot. Unlike a double lung or heart shot, a Deer will tend to give into the pain and find a place to lie down, but not die right away. If you spook the deer however, it can run for miles. This is why it is so important to let the deer expire, undisturbed.

I have heard many time frames in which you should leave a deer lay after being gut shot. If you shoot it in the morning, I suggest leaving it until the evening. If the deer is shot in the evening I would wait until morning. None the less, I suggest always waiting at least 12 hours before attempting to retrieve a gut shot deer.

Image From: www.coueswhitetail.com

A gut shot deer, along with extensive pain, will feel flu like symptoms once the intestinal toxins reach the blood stream. This is likely the reason a deer will try to find water. I always tell hunters who have a hard time finding a gut shot deer to find the closest water and continue the search there. If you’re lucky and leave the area without alarming a deer that has been gut shot and has ran off, there is a good chance at finding it within a couple hundred yards from where you shot it. This is why backing out is so important.

Many hunters will ask if a gut shot deer is safe to eat. I can say from my own experience that with proper care a gut shot deer is usually fine to eat. Yes, I have made the mistake of hitting a deer in the guts. However, I considered myself lucky to have even found the deer considering horrible tracking signs or that the lack of. Once again, I backed out quietly and came back after giving the deer at least 12 hours to expire.

If you are like me and process your own venison, I myself will dampen a towel with vinegar and wipe the questionable sections of the deer. Vinegar will kill any bacteria forming and it is obviously safe to consume. From there I continue to process the meat into steaks or roasts.

The obvious best way to recover a gut shot deer is to not shoot it in the guts at all. Always allow for a good broadside or quartering away shot. The last thing any hunter wants to do is make a bad hit and have a deer suffer. But with that being said, if you hunt long enough, you will make a bad hit. Very few experienced hunters can say they have always hit their mark. Although very frustrating and saddening for you and the deer, it is important to give your best effort to recover that animal. This includes not attempting to recover the animal until ample time has been given for it to expire.

Deer Hunting: Build a Strategy For Success

Like most hunters, I make sure I am very well prepared for Deer season. I have trail cameras placed, stands hung, other spots scouted and I practice religiously with my bow. What I feel I do different than most hunters, is put a very strict strategy together that will dictate what stands I hunt and when I hunt them. It’s almost like an offensive coordinators play calling sheet. They have certain plays for certain situations in the game because they know those plays are more likely to work. Here is an example of my season strategy.

October 1^st (Michigan Bow Opener)-October 7^th

                  During the first week of October I put myself on food sources like food plots or wild fruits. I find that a lot of deer have yet to be restricted to crops or acorns because most of the forage is still green and wild fruit is still dropping. This is a great opportunity to knock down a doe for freezer meat or get a shot at a buck that is still coming off his summer routine.

                         October 8^th-October 20^th (The Lull)

Nocturnal Buck checking a scrape
made during the false rut.

                 This time of season, some hunters refer to as the lull, can be very confusing and demoralizing. You can set almost every day without seeing a buck. Not to say they are not around, but bucks tend to stick to a nocturnal regiment during this time. If I’m not trying to fill a doe tag, which this time of the season is great for, I like to hunt just outside of a bucks bedding area. I look for clumps of rubs that indicate a buck may be close by and using the area. I will pick a tree that puts the wind in my favor and I will usually only hunt those spots in the morning. If lucky, you can catch a buck slipping back into his bedding area after feeding all night.

October 21^st-October 30^th (False Rut)

                As if the woods was completely rid of bucks all together, one day the woods comes to life with rubs and scrapes everywhere, almost as if appearing overnight. By this time, some of the mature does will have come into an early estrus. The number of mature does you have in your area will affect how aggressive this early rut is. If you land right in this early rut or even miss it by a day or two, I suggest using an estrus urine drag just outside of a bucks bedding area or setup on a does travel route to a food source. You could strike the attention of bucks trying to capitalize on this early estrus cycle, which usually lasts no more than 48 hours.
                Once the mature does have passed through their first estrus cycle, bucks will start to get amped up for the main rut. Scrapes will be made almost daily and rubs will begin to pop up everywhere. This is a great time to use social calls like grunts and territorial scents like buck urine. Because I know most does will not come into heat again until the main rut, I post myself on rub lines leading in and out of known bedding areas as bucks begin to move more frequently during daylight hours.

October 31^st (Holloween)-November 6^th (Seeking)

                Halloween is probably my favorite day to hunt as for me it marks the start of the rut and I know the most chaotic days are just around the corner. My favorite setup for Halloween would be a funnel usually on a marsh. Bucks will use these pinch points as they travel to seek does. Although no does will come into estrus for about ten days, bucks will be on their feet moving and looking.

                I also like to hunt the outer edges of a food sources where bucks will routinely try to cut the track of a receptive doe as she goes to eat. Acorn ridges usually offer a great vantage point to call from when a buck appears at a distance. Once you see a buck roaming, it’s wise to let out a couple soft grunts or even a rattle sequence. Bucks are very territorial during this phase and will come to almost anything that mimics a receptive doe or a challenging buck.

                                                                                                                November 7^th-14^th (Chasing)

Buck moving during mid day (2:47 pm)

              The chasing phase is what some people consider the peak rut because this is when the deer woods erupt. Bucks are unpredictable and sometimes abandon their home range to seek receptive does. During this chaotic phase, I like to be on an oak ridge where does are known to feed. During this time bucks are typically reluctant to eat as the only thing they have on their mind is breeding.

Another great tactic I use for this phase is posting up right outside of a known bedding area used by does. You can guarantee bucks already know the does are there and they will frequent these areas as they wait for the does to come into estrus.

November 15^th-20^th (Tending/Breeding)

             This is about the time does come into estrus and begin to let bucks breed them. Often times, bucks will stick with a doe for up to 36 hours before she comes into heat. He may breed her multiple times before seeking another receptive doe.

During this phase, I target the does and then shoot the buck. Food sources are great areas. Even with the chaos, a doe will still feed. A tending buck will drop his guard to protect and tend a doe. This is a great time to capitalize on a nice buck that may have evaded you all season.

                           November 21^st-30^th (Post Rut)

Author with a Big Woods buck harvested
during the Michigan Rifle season

                About the time most does have been bread, bucks will begin to seek other does that may be receptive. You may see scrapes open back up from bucks checking to see if any does have visited them. This is also the time where bucks will begin to replenish the weight they had lost during the Rut.

              During this phase I like to continue hunting over food sources or just outside bedding areas. As bucks eat to replenish their strength they will mildly continue to checks bedding and feeding areas for any does that may still be receptive.

December 1^st-End of season

             The later part of the season for me consists of freezing my butt off and hunting over food sources. Although there is a mild rut due to some does not being bread in the first rut, deer are heavily concentrated on preparing for the winter. They must put on a substantial amount of body weight that will get them through the winter.

Acorn ridges are great if the snow is not too overbearing. Deer will feed on acorns until either there are no more or they can’t get to them. Ground blinds in thick cedar swamps are ideal when snow is too heavy for deer to dig for acorns. It gives deer shelter and usually some food. Thick logging cuts where the tops of trees are left exposed are great areas to get high and hunt travel routes leading into the cuts.

              Although some of these dates overlap and vary in some instances, this is my general guideline that I stick to in order to stay on top of the ever changing deer season. It’s very important to plan ahead rather than hunt the same stand or blind from season start to end. There are ways to be successful every day of the season. Being prepared and having a game plan tailored to the changing phases has helped me and will help you be successful.

Deer Hunting: 3 Tips For Summer Scouting

Summer time can be daunting when enduring the hot weather until the opener. Here in Michigan, we are limited to what we can do on public land to prepare for the season. There are three things I do that help me not only pass the time, but ensure that I am prepared for the long hunting season ahead.

Find the Food

Google Image

             It’s hard to say from year to year which oaks will produce the best crop. Some years it’s good and other years it’s hard to find a good crop. About this time every year I take a day or two to scout some of my favorite acorn ridges. That way when the season opens, I already know where the preferred food source will be when the frost bit days of November comes sneaking in.
            Aside from acorns, there are other fruit bearing trees that tip you off as to whether or not they will yield a food sources. It’s good to know where other food sources are in your hunting areas. That way if one did not produce, you have a backup and an answer as to why you are not seeing deer in a particular area.
            Although very under rated, fresh logging cuts can be a hot spot when snow takes over the forest floor. Many deer will converge in these areas to eat the tops off trees that are left behind from a recently logged area. These tops are usually two feet or higher from the ground and do not get covered with snow. Whatever the food source you suspect the deer prefer in your hunting area, it’s wise to make sure it will be there when you intend to hunt there.

Observe

            As bucks meander through the fields and open forests they can be observed in person or by way of trail cameras. I do not prefer one over the other but both do have their advantages.
           When observing bucks with their bachelor groups, in person, you can witness how they interact with each other. You will begin to see how they rank among each other. Summer is the time where bucks get to know each other and also where they develop a hierarchy. If observed frequently you will be able to identify which bucks are likely to be the dominant bucks within each group. This will give you a good idea of the competition these bucks will be presented with comes the breeding season.
           Trails cameras are probably the single best scouting tool a whitetail hunter has ever had the luxury of using. Trail cameras tell us so much about deer, even in just a still image. Today we have trail cameras that take video which has advanced the tool just that much further. Trail cameras can give a hunter a good idea of how many bucks are in a given area, well before the season opens. The single best reason for trail cameras is that you do not have to be present in order for them to work. Imagine saying that to a hunter fifty five years ago.
            Whether observing in person or by way of scouting cameras, it’s a great advantage to see the deer you will be hunting, previous to the season. Watching antlers grow through the summer and seeing which bucks have made it through the previous seasons and winter helps pass the time and is just plain awesome. 

Stand Sites

                I for some reason can never have enough stand locations. I primarily hunt from a climber because I hunt public land so often. Picking all my stand sites is done mostly through the month of August, once I know where the acorns and other food will be most abundant.      

This is also a great time to scout other locations that bucks hold up in but have abandoned to join bachelor groups on their summer range. You can leave all the scent you want and you don’t have to worry about spooking deer. 
This time of the year, foliage is most constricting and you will have the best opportunity to see shooting lanes and trees with the best cover. If appropriate, you can trip some of those stubborn limbs and branches that may be hard to notice when the leaves fall from the trees. If you hunt long enough, you will fall victim to a deflection from one of these branches and know exactly why I trim these buggers when easily noticeable.
No matter where you hunt, these tips can help, even if just in the smallest way. I hope these few tips help you with your hunts this season. I have noticed the advantage since applying them to my summer routine and I believe you will too.

               

Deer Hunting: Southern Michigan vs Northern Michigan

                I have floated my way through many conversations revolving around the difference between Southern Michigan deer hunting and Northern Michigan deer hunting, whether how much different or what differences there are. It’s obvious there are many differences when comparing the two, which is why one produces larger racks and yet the other is more accessible to hunters. There is no specific line where Southern Michigan meets Northern Michigan, but for the purpose of this article, let us say it’s where the corn field’s end and the Jack pines start.

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                 Much of Southern Michigan is covered in crop fields such as corn and beans. As most hunters know, that’s what deer love to eat. On the other side of the spectrum, Northern Michigan has oak trees which produce acorns. Although very abundant, oak trees do not always produce a fruitful crop. When the acorns are limited, the deer are restricted to cedar, twigs, and other browse. Limited food is a common issue in areas of Northern Michigan with less agriculture.


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                 Food plays a huge roll in how deer develop and survive. An abundance of food will give bucks a good head start on antler growth and will also support the survival rate for fawns and for all deer in that matter when considering Michigan’s harsh winters. Southern Michigan’s abundance in food helps sustain a healthy deer herd and sometimes an overpopulated deer herd. Northern Michigan is not so lucky. With limited forage, deer are restricted to browsing the tops of trees and eating bitter acorns, which can be detrimental to the winter survival rates and fawn recruitment. Most of all, it affects antler growth because many bucks cannot sustain a healthy enough diet to reach their true antler potential.

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                 Antlers will start growing as soon as the previous years have shed. Most do not know this because we don’t begin to see the new antler growth until the end of April or later. When a buck sheds his antlers, nutrition greatly affects how fast the new antlers will form. The pedestals on the head begin to form slowly until food is more abundant. How long a winter lasts and food is scares play a huge roll in when a bucks antlers can begin growing at a faster rate. If you have ever driven through Michigan in the middle of April, you can expect to start in the southern third seeing green fields and budding trees. When you get to Northern Michigan, you may still see snow and angler’s ice fishing. Because of an already limited food source in Northern Michigan, the deer must wait until the snow melts to get green forage. This can delay the antler growth process and also affect fawn recruitment.

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                 Northern Michigan has an abundance of public land. Any hunter can take up hunting with ample choices of where to hunt. Southern Michigan is far more restricted for the most part. Getting access from farmers and land owners is harder than it has ever been. This is a big reason why a lot of hunters travel from areas like Sterling Heights to as far as Big bay. This is not to say hunters do not travel to southern Michigan because a lot do have access to hunting land. If I had land to hunt in Hillsdale or Jackson County, I would have no problem traveling and neither would anyone I hunt with. But as access becomes limited, so does hunting pressure. Success rates and average age of harvested bucks can be reflected by the amount of hunters deer see and encounter. A lot of neighboring property owners are now joining forces to start a management program. This is easier to do when their land is most likely already land locked by other private property. In Northern Michigan where public land dominates deer hunting, our management plan is almost nonexistent and at the will of the DNR.

                 There are a lot of variable that affect a deer herd. Weather, nutrition and hunting pressure are just to name a few. I wish I had the number of hunters per county as I would like to speculate on that, however I do not. I am sure it would be relatively close all across the state and can be credited to Michigan’s huge tradition in deer hunting. Whether you hunt Hillsdale County for Boone and Crocket bucks or just take a trip across the bridge for a fun week at deer camp, the purpose is all the same in the end. We love to deer hunt.

Combination Deer Tag Proposal- Michigan Deer Hunting

In Michigan we have an endless list of mixed feelings when it comes to deer hunting, management and ethics. I am firm believer in a hunter’s choice to harvest what he pleases and by any legal standard. With that being said, I have my own standards that I hold to, even on the high pressured public land I hunt in northern Michigan. Michigan as a deer hunting state has produced less than pleasing results in all categories of desired reasons to deer hunt. It has never been more obvious, with every hunter’s best interest in mind; Michigan needs to make a change to our combination tag system as well as the season structures. We need to go back to the roots of our purpose, the reason we are all the hunting enthusiasts we are today.

Michigan brings in about 2.3 billion dollars annually from deer hunting. A big part of this reason is due to the fact that a hunter can harvest two deer in a season and that’s without purchasing any antlerless tags. A hunter can harvest a deer in both archery season and rifle season, or two in either season. This extends our season and instead of just a week or two of hunting, it’s what we do for three months. Although this is great on one side of the spectrum, it is also a problem on the other. Allowing a hunter to harvest two bucks during rifle season, one being an antlered buck with at least one antler three inches or longer, is a recipe for a low buck population as well as an unbalanced heard, which is what we have in the majority of the state already. One solution to this issue would be allowing a hunter to harvest only one buck during the rifle season. We could also instill an antler point restriction for that one rifle tag which is already in place if you buy a rifle tag separately from the combination tag. This would not only allow more bucks to make it through the season, but it would also entice hunters to consider passing less than desired bucks.

Arron Sitkiewicz and Nick Purgiel with a
Public land Ten point harvested in Northern Michigan.

If we cut our combo tag to just one legal buck during rifle season, with antler point restrictions, we could limit the archery season to just one buck of legal size or an antlerless deer. Like I said, I’m a firm believer in a hunter’s choice to harvest what he pleases but we have to meet somewhere in the middle as to favor the majority of hunters. By allowing an archery hunter to have that choice and not have any antler restrictions in the archery season; it will encourage rifle only hunters to consider archery hunting while also forcing trophy hunters to be more selective with their one archery tag.

To sum up the previously listed, we could still have our combo tag and the ability to harvest two bucks in a year. The combo tag would consist of an archery tag that allows you to harvest an antlerless deer or a buck with at least one antler three inches or longer, while the rifle tag would grant us one buck with appropriate antler point restrictions.

I mentioned it briefly before that this system would encourage a hunter to be more selective. Instead of shooting a spike horn on the opening day of archery season, because they have another tag available, they may pass on that buck. But with that being said, I believe any animal harvested with archery equipment is a trophy. I don’t care if it is a squirrel or a doe. For archery season I believe we should leave the choice to the hunter. Let them be the judge as to what is appropriate and what they would be happy harvesting.

Rifle season is a little more complicated. Although many hunters would agree with leaving the choice to hunters during rifle season as well, we have to meet in the middle somewhere between trophy hunting and meat hunting and I think rifle season is the most appropriate place. After Michigan approved every hunter the use of a crossbow during archery season, it has become easier for hunters to participate in archery hunting. Because of this, it makes it that much easier for me to consider stricter laws pertaining to rifle season.

Author Alvin Sitkiewicz with a
Northern Michigan Public land eight point.

I’ve heard ideas of cutting seasons short or completely removing them entirely. Some have even considered not opening archery season until October 10th or later. I feel the results would be very minute from a move like this, as do other hunters I’ve spoken with. I like that we have a black powder season and feel that it is appropriate. Those brave enough to weather the cold should have a second chance at filling a rifle tag with a somewhat restricted firearm.

My only issue that I share with a lot of other hunters is the fact that a youth hunter can harvest a buck during the youth season. Some feel that this season is being abused and that it spoils young hunters that get a chance at some very impressive bucks before any other seasons have opened. Some hunters would like to see the youth season removed entirely. I think the youth hunt is appropriate because it does get young hunters involved while also giving plenty of time between the youth hunt and the prime Rut.

The biggest issue being discussed is the length of our rifle season. I’ve heard some hunters suggest as low as three days for a rifle season. Although sixteen days may be a little excessive when considered in a management discussion, I think Michigan’s rifle season and deer camp traditions are too rich to infringe upon with anything less than a ten day season.

Although I could go on and on about these topics, the problem does not come from a youngster shooting a basket rack eight point during the youth hunt, nor is it caused from a sixteen day hunting season. Those are all minute variables that play a little role in deer management. The real issue lies within the age structure and buck-to-doe ratio. Without infringing upon hunting traditions and participation, we need to formulate a management plan that considers all types of hunters. Michigan is home to over 700,000 deer hunters. Not every hunter feels the same way about deer hunting as the next. Some hunt for a trophy, some hunt for the meat and others just use deer hunting as a gateway to a peaceful day in god’s country. No matter our reason, it is very important that we consider all sides of the spectrum. We need to instill regulations that not only improve our deer herd but also improve our experience when we are afield.

By Alvin Sitkiewicz

Co Founder and Executive Producer of Michigan Gone Wild

www.michigangonewild.com

Expandable vs. Fixed Blade Broad Heads

                  When it comes to choosing what broad head you should use for Bow hunting, the choices are endless. So many variables can deter an archer from using one or the other. In my thirteen years of bow hunting I have used both fixed blades and expandable broad heads. I have now rested on using an expandable broad head for the last five years. But what is right for my setup may not be for yours.

Accuracy

                  I can remember when I first heard about expandable broad heads. The biggest selling point was that it shot like a field tip. There is no doubt that an expandable shoots pretty close in accuracy to that of a field point. Any experience I have had with fixed blade broad heads has resulted in buying an extra pack just to sight in my bow. I can’t say this is true for all brands of fixed blades, but in my experience expandable broad heads take the cake when it comes to accuracy.

Penetration

                 This is a very loose statement when I say fixed blades are better for penetration. I have used some fixed blade broad heads that couldn’t cut through butter. With that being said, I have got my best penetration results with fixed blade broad heads. Not to say expandable broad heads are not getting the job done. Like I said, I have shot expandable broad heads exclusively for the last five years. But expandable broad heads require energy to open. For hunters shooting less than 50 pounds, it can take away some of the kinetic energy needed for sufficient penetration.

  I also worry about expandable’s when a shot gets into the paddle bone on the shoulder. Let’s face it, we are not all Olympic shooters and I will be the first to admit it. Even in the best conditions our emotions can get the best of us. For that reason, even with an expandable broad head, I like to shoot a heavy arrow. I have been fortunate enough to get through that paddle bone on two separate occasions but I have lost deer due to hitting that bone and not getting enough penetration.

  Without retracting my previous statement, I have to add that the expandable broad heads that have hit the market in the last five years, combined with an arrow that delivers a high amount of kinetic energy and a bow that shoots 70+ pounds, can result in some devastating blows. I just favor a good fixed blade over an expandable when I have any concerns about penetration pertaining to the rest of an bow hunter’s setup.

Durability

                 Here is where I draw the line. I will mention that the expandable broad heads have gotten a lot better in durability, but I can never count on more than two shots with the same broad head. I have used a couple different models from several brands and still to this day I can’t get more than two fatal shots out of one broad head. Keep in mind I am shooting 70 pounds with a 30 inch draw. 

                 The majority of fixed blades that I have used were never a problem with durability. This is not to say that you will not run into problems with lower end brands. Generally speaking, you will most always find that a fixed blade will be more durable than an expandable in the same price range.

Terminal Damage

            If it sounds like I’ve been hating on all the expandable lovers out there, this one’s for you! Just remember, I use expandable broad heads. Here is why! By far the most gruesome terminal damage I have ever seen has come from expandables. I have witnessed blood trails that Freddy Krueger himself would find terrifying. Without mentioning any brands, there are some two bladed monsters on the market that have been compensating for bad shots since their first pass through an animal. With some brands offering a 2 inch cutting diameter, there is no doubt they will get the blood flowing.

Cost Effective

             Now that my terminal damage rant is over, I can get on to the cost effectiveness. This should have been added to the durability category but I made it one of its own. Being that fixed blades are typically more durable and you can use them over and over, I have to imagine you’ll get the picture on which style is the most cost effective. A solid fixed blade will really only ever need to be sharpened. On the other hand, an expandable will need replacement blades and some even need O-rings to hold the blades in place.
            Whether the cost or minor differences in durability, accuracy or penetration make that much of a difference is up to you, the shooter. If I haven’t said it enough, I shoot expandable broad heads. I’m happy with my setup, but I may try a couple new products, as they are only getting better with each passing year. There are so many choices in the market today. This is just a heads up for what I have learned along the way. Just remember, you can have the best broad head on the market but if you don’t practice with your bow, you may never even hit a deer. 

Hunter Accountability

There is nothing like the first flush of the year or the last second before you let an arrow fly towards a Whitetail. These are the moments that keep us coming back for years and what also keeps us so passionate about our respected hunting sports. We as hunters also have the responsibility of upholding an ethical image for our sport. As hunting becomes more popular with each passing day, keep in mind the traditions and ethics you must pass on or keep to in order to keep hunting the rich tradition and ethical sport that has made us the hunting enthusiasts we are today.
                      
                                Your Hunt

          If you’ve ever heard the story: “I would have let him walk, but it was the last day of the season.” You probably know that this is in reference to a hunter giving an excuse as to why he harvested an animal that he or she fears others may not approve of. Well I’m here to tell you that we as hunters should not fear what other hunters may think or say. I’ve always told hunters that came to my camp; we do not have any expectations or size minimum. As long as the deer is legal and the hunter harvesting the animal is happy with their harvest, it’s no one’s business as to what another hunters sees fit to harvest?
               I firmly believe in that a hunter’s choice is his own. Like I said, given that the law or rules approve of the harvest, a hunter should be happy with any kill regardless of what others may say. I am a meat hunter first. I will harvest a doe before I shoot a first year buck. Then I am a trophy hunter, but not by any other hunters trophy standards. My personal standards are judged by me and only me. That means when I shoot a Deer, Bear or Turkey, you can bet I am absolutely thrilled with that harvest.
              You owe it to yourself to harvest what you want as long as it’s by your own standards. If you know you are capable of passing on a younger deer or bear, than do so. Don’t shoot an animal you will not be absolutely thrilled about. Your hunting experience will be far better when you can leave the woods with or without your quarry, knowing your standards were met by your own choice.

Respect other Hunters

              We as hunters have the opportunity to share our beloved sports with many others like us. That doesn’t mean that these interactions are all positive. However, there’s no reason they should be anything but sincere. It goes back to elementary school when we were all taught not to treat others any different than the way we would like to be treated. I’ve seen other hunters spot another hunter’s harvest and without hesitating, mention something negative: “Why would you shoot that?” “That’s small!” “Who told you too shoot that!” I can honestly say this makes me sick to my stomach.

Tommy with his first spike horn in the 2013
 youth hunt. Shot with a crossbow!!!!

                When I was in the sixth grade, my father and I participated in the opening day of Michigan’s rifle season. We hunted all morning. Around 3:00 pm I was awoken from a nap by a loud gun shot. My father had shot a spike horn. I cannot tell you how blessed I was to share that experience with him.  My father had gone at least four years without shooting a deer, not hard to do in Michigan where the deer herd isn’t exactly up to par. But my father is also a paraplegic. So getting to good areas to hunt is rather hard with his limited accessibility.   

Are we to expect that every hunter meet the same trophy standards as others? As long as a harvest is legal and the hunter is happy with his or her quarry, shouldn’t we be happy for them? After all, that’s what hunting is supposed to be about. The measure of joyful moments and memories go far beyond the weight or size on an animal.

                                                   Pass it on

             Could you imagine if your father or grandpa had never taken you hunting? I am forever grateful that my father, even being restricted to a wheelchair, still made the effort and time to teach my brother and me how to hunt. We spent many hours staring out the peek hole in the front of the blind that our dad made for us. Maybe once every five times we went hunting did we actually see a deer. That was the best thing that ever happened for my hunting career. It taught my brother and me that hunting was far more than just shooting trophy deer. It was about bonding and spending time together.
             We as hunters not only owe it to the future generation, but also to the sport of hunting to pass on the ethics and traditions that make hunting great. In our lives, we will work hard to harvest our game. We cannot replace those animals, but we can give back to the sport by passing it on. It’s very important that we start and continue to get new hunters involved with sport that we love so much, but to also get them started off the right way. Ultimately, the next generations of hunter’s are the most important for they will carry on the sport we love dearly.
             We as hunters love our respected hunting activities. We spend a lot of money to enjoy the pursuit of the many different game animals of our choosing. We owe it to ourselves, to other hunters and to first time hunters to show this sport the respect it deserves. Whether you are a Deer hunter, Turkey hunter or upland bird hunter, we all have the responsibility of not only being an ethical and respectful hunter, but to also pass the traditions of hunting to following generations. We must put into hunting what we take from it. That is the true goal.